Lunia, the Silver Heaven, the lowest and first layer of the infinitely rising Mount Celestia is home to beautiful shining cities of white stone upon its shores. It is surrounded by an endless mercurial sea of holy water, the Silvery Sea; filled with sentient aquatic life forms, it also acts as an impenetrable barrier against Evil outsiders. The sky above is perpetually dark, filled with beautiful constellations of silver stars bright enough to illuminate the base of the seven layer mountain. Peace is the substance of Lunia. It is watched over by the archon Barachiel, the patron of trumpet archons, whose Citadel of Stars sits on the shores of the Sea. He is charged with defending Celestia from incursion, a task which, even on this lowest and most accessible layer, he rarely has to act upon. This layer is also the location of many godly realms, including Brihaspati's realm of Nectar of Life and Tyr's secondary realm of The Court .
One such realm is the expansive Shichi Fukujin. Also known as Seven Fortunes; it is home to seven representing deities: Hotei, Jurōjin, Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Daikokuten, Ebisu; whose domains encompass Abundance, Longevity, Happiness, Warriors, Knowledge, Wealth and Merchants.
Deep in the fabric of Hotei’s realm there is the village called Tumbling Pearl . Throughout the year, native birds would build their nests into the cliff face by first embedding seashells gathered from the waterfalls below. Once in a while, a shell containing a pearl would wash down the cliffside, dropping to the village below, bestowing luck and good fortune to the finder.
Nearby, among the shaded hills, you land upon the ground with a soft thud, just outside of the training circle.
"Careful, Arun", your mentor instructs, waving you in for another match, "Vestia is quick with that knee."
[Move your icon, narrate and roll initiative]
"Indeed Master," Aurin says as he bows respectfully to Vestia. (Initiative roll of 11)
For her lucky shot, Vestia, a young female aasimar junior to your years and experience stands smiling, then backs up to the opposite side of the circle and readies a stance.
She slowly edges in, waiting for you, knowing that you won't make the same mistakes twice.
[Aurin up!]
With incredible speed, Aurin closes quickly and says, "Very good Vestia. My turn."
Standard Attack roll is 1d20+12 = (9)+12=21.
A fist throttles past Vestia's left cheek with a whoosh as Aurin misses his mark. She hesitates for a moment as if wondering if more was come or just a trick against the trap that she prepared. With full fury from her Dragon stance, Vestia lays a powerful combination onto Aurin.
”Heayaa!!!”
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>>
>>
>>
Aurin takes knee to the ribs.
[Aurin up!]
Aurin parries and avoids all but one of the incoming attacks from Vestia. Aurin flinches momentarily as the knee drives through. He smiles at the skilled attack and then focuses his Ki.
(Ki Pool at 13 of 14. 1 extra attack at highest attack bonus.)
"WAAAAAAAA...TATATATATATATATA!"
He unleashes a furry of blows of his own at Vestia!
1st attack is (19)+13=32. Damage is (8)+3=11.
2nd attack is (11)+13=24. Damage is (2)+3=5.
3rd attack is (17)+13=30. Damage is (10)+3=13.
4th attack is (2)+8=10. Damage is (4)+3=7.
5th attack is (5)+8=13. Damage is (6)+3=9.
6th attack is (7)+3=10. Damage is (5)+3=8.
Aurin is sure to pull his strikes to keep the lethality from them!!!
Vestia takes a left-right-left to the face from Aurin's footwork, staggering her for a moment, she quickly withdraws to the center of the circle.
[up]
With a speed born of years of training, Aurin spring attacks Vestia! He rushes in and attempts to open hand palm strike her in the face!
Attack roll is (11) + 13 = 24. Non Lethal damage is (6) + 3 = 9.
Aurin quickly springs back taking up his original position!
(Attack is actually 11+12=23)
Vestia dodges aside in a blur, then quickly changes her stance and moves away, waiting for the next attack.
[up]
Aurin focuses his attention and calms his soul.
"Vestia," he says with a calm seniority. "Your issue is not your skill, but your maturity. Skill alone is not enough. Skill born of Wisdom and Experience is."
(11 of 14 Ki Points. Aurin heals all of his non lethal wounds.)
"I await your attack dear sister."
Aurin holds his ground and patiently waits for Vestia's move.
With a wicked smile as if anticipating your words, Vestia charges with blinding speed and leaps at your defenses, throwing you off balance... and out of the circle.
::thud::
”Heeh heh hee”, Braga, your mentor giggles, ”-and hubris is yours Aurin”. Braga stretches his hind legs and arches his back on rock perch, his current feline form not far different from the average house cat settles on his haunches in an upright sit.
The young boy sitting near him is your adopted nephew, Xungis, who looks moderated disappointed to see your defeat.
Aurin smiles and bows to Vestia.
He looks to Braga and says, "Defeat and victory are only experiences, almost one in the same. While one is more pleasant than the other, a smart being learns and grows from both."
He turns back to his sparring partner and says, "Well done Vestia. I didn't hurt you did I?"
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"Wise words to live by", Braga replies but looks at his other pupil's obvious enthusiasm, "Right, Vestia?". The young woman catches herself and nods, then shakes her head at your concern.
"Enough for today then-", your mentor pounces off the rocks, his form transmuting mid air as he lands on the ground two humanoid feet. Braga is half-elven and and half-kitsune, a foxen bloodline attuned to animal spirits. "Aurin, meet me in the garden this evening after your errands", he says as he scuffs your newphew's hair in a playful gesture, "There are some last preparations for your journey to represent us in the Seven Fortunes tournaments..."
Aurin bows to his mentor Braga, and Vestia.
He then turns to Xungis and says, "Why are you disappointed Nephew?"
" You were supposed to be this colossus! You were this great, legendary thing! And yet she wins! I do not accept excuses! I'm just going to have to find myself a new giant!"
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"Don't say that Xungini," Aurin says playfully using his pet name for Xungis.
"Better that you see me in the realm of reality, rather than place me on some unrealistic perch. You, me, and even the god's themselves are fallible. Never forget that."
"My meeting with Braga isn't until later. Is there somewhere you would like to go?"
His face brightens up immediately at the prospect of mending wounds by treats. In quick manner you are dragged to the town square where most of the vendors are beginning to pack up their goods and produce for the day. The rice cake vendor having just enough to satisfy Xungis's appetite to return his smile.
The evening in Tumbling Pearl plays out before you. You glance around to see the usual activities; an old man playing a synth for pocket change, a few local hunters gathered around a fresh kill, some maidens giggling nearby.
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"Look Xungini," Aurin says as he directs the youths attention to what is happening around them. "This is life, and it is clearly a good thing. The universe has conspired to place you here, at the base of Mt. Celestia. You, like all here, are clearly blessed. Learn to see your surroundings and appreciate them for the experience that they give, for fortune can change quickly."
He looks to make sure he has Xungis' attention and says, "Can you see why my match with Vestia was not a loss?"
”Xungis”, you were about to say, ”Xungis?”.
The boy had lost interest in esoteric philosophy and wandered away from you. Looking about, you see him past the old musician and prancing girls, joining the outer edges of the hunters' gathering. After some chatter, Xungis points back at you; the men look over to see you.
Aurin smiles and walks over to the gathered Hunters. "Good day all." Aurin is sure to acknowledge all of them. "What did you bring down," he asks the group.
”Ah Aurin, it is you”, a man named Yanzi says, you know all the men as they greet you. ”Jacob brought in this boar this afternoon, but the tanner can't use the hyde, looks like he roughed it up a bit too much!”. The men laugh heartily as Jacob waves off the joke, "I was try to tell you fellas that I only launched one lucky arrow into it from sixty feet and it dropped dead. Look, I even missed the heart. That rumor of another predator in the range must be true, look at these marks. Lacerations around the beast can be seen here and there, definitely not the damage done by a single arrow.
Yanzi turns to you and says "Xungis here was saying that his giant can bring down whatever this predator is. We were joking with him but we didn't know he was talking about you. Nevermind any thoughts of this, you are leaving for the tournaments and you know you are forbidden to be tasked with any other duties until you return.
"I will clear it with Braga when I meet with him shortly. For now, tell me where this happened?" Aurin's tone is final knowing that he will assist his people with whatever help they need.
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The men tell you the details of the hunt, as well as other signs and rumors heard about town. The more teeth and claws that trumps the next, the more excited Xungis becomes. He boasts to the men of how you'll slay the black dragon which moments ago started off as a roaming bear. The walk back to the sanctuary is filled with excited chatter in unison with mimicked punches and kicks. The evening light fades into the starry night of Lunia.
***
”Absolutely not”, Braga says with a tone of absurdity that you would ask such things, ”You are forbidden to part take in anything until the tournament’s end. The entire village is vested in you and is it your sole responsibility to see it through. If you were to get hurt or even pulled a muscle, you may as well not venture forth at all... Now as to the reason why I asked you to come.
Aurin listens patiently.
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Braga guides you into the prayer room where incense hangs heavily in the air. ”You came to us as a wanderer, eventually becoming my most skilled student. I have nothing else to teach you.” He pauses to weigh his next words, ”When you leave for the tournaments, you shall not return here again.”
He walks over to a low table where a shell with a single shiny pearl sits. ”You will leave us with nothing more than you came with, except for knowledge, and this…”, Braga invites you to take the pearl, “…a gift from the village.”
Aurin bows respectfully and says, "It has been a great honor to learn from you Braga. You have been and will ever be my friend and mentor. Thank you for your wisdom and your guidance."
Aurin takes up the pearl and bows low again. "Is there anything else you require of me before I take to road?"
”No! What?! Why?! No!”, Xungis had been eavesdropping from behind a low partition, now too devastated to remain hidden, ”You're gonna leave just like that?!”. He runs off in a tantrum.
Braga sighs, "He wasn't supposed to know until you left. Go and console him what you can, be mindful of your time, you leave by next morning light.
Aurin bows a final time to Braga and goes off in search of Xungis.
Diplomacy roll is (19) + 6 = 25.
He stands firm and strong staring at Xungis. "It is time for you to stand on your own apprentice, and have faith that our paths will cross once again."
Hours later, you are able to calm the boy down enough that he falls asleep, although still pouting. Retiring yourself to your quarters, you awake hours before dawn to the sound of rushed footsteps past your door. It suddenly slides open, Vestia bounds in, "He's gone - Xungis - last night! The guard found this at Braga's door!", she hands you the paper note.
I will bring back the big monster and prove to be your student like Aurin. -X
"Damn it!" Aurin runs out the door and into the night. Moving with Monk speed he makes his way to the area designated by the hunters.
The area mentioned by the hunters is a ravine far from the village, the path to it on wet ground and densely overgrown with vines . The soil here is rich and the trees bears fruit that tumble down the hillside to be easy picks by foragers, and in turn, predators. A light rain begins to fall slowing you down even more, it takes nearly an hour before you crest the hill surrounding the ravine.
Aurin bends down to analyze the ground. He shakes his head not knowing exactly what he is looking at.
"What do you think old friend," he asks to the form of the Bariaur Ranger he was smart enough to bring with him.
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The shallow cave was cold but comfortable, even made slightly home-like from the two weeks you've used it as your base camp. You had fallen asleep soundly after your turn of the watch. In the hours before dawn, you are awoken at your companion's urging. You had hired the guide from the nearby village of Tumbling Pearl to assist your ventures, who’s proven to be of great help in local knowledge, manual labor and keeping you safe. "Masta, masta... come look", Guo whispers and beckons you to the cave mouth and points out.
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Off in the corner of the cave a dirty pile of clothes and blankets starts to stir revealing a slender man wearing what looks like it use to be a nice tunic and trousers who is obviously not ready to be woken up. You can tell that after living in this cave for so long his clothes are a bit worn as is his mood.
Rolling off his makeshift pallet and running his fingers threw his unkempt hare "How many times does one have to tell you I am no ones master" Trying to stretch to get the kinks out of his back. "Its just Breeze and whats got you so excited? We have been out here for weeks and found nothing whats so different about this morning"
Pulling on his boots he walks t words the cave opening.
The rain and fauna cloaks any sense of direction, leaving you as lost as Xungis. Calling out into the forest doesn’t improve your darkvision range or the brighten the surrounding darkness.
Suddenly, a high pitched emanating from the ravine penetrates up through the rain, "AaaaEeeeeeee!". The sound is almost faint, likely at the edge of the range in which sound travels to your current location in the bushes.
[up]
From the high perch, looking down at the forest, you see a light source moving erratically and rapidly through the trees. Whatever it is, it’s having a difficult time following the terrain; more importantly to you, it is traversing through the general vicinity of your dig - either a random traveler stumbling through or someone looking for the same thing you are. Although this deep in the forest...
[up, Perception check, Knowledge Arcana]
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Peering out of the cave mouth into the forest the man calling himself Breeze starts what looks to be a complex ritual of what appears to be prayers and arcane rites and slowly transforms himself into what appears to be a small whirlwind.
Ant haul = 3x carrying capacity
elemental body 1 = fly 60 (perfect),+2 dex,+2 natural armor,dark vision 60'
invisibility = invisible
puts my AC at 21 can fly 60' and dark vision 60'and am invisible
"Guo I am going to go have a look at what or who that is down there you should be safe enough up here for the moment."
plus invisibility
With that said he disappears and noiselessly flys off into the darkness.
Aurin moves towards the scream quickly!!!
"Yes, masta...", Guo acknowledges your request about your title and your instruction to remain behind. He clings onto the mouth of the cave, looking a bit worried as you disappear from sight. Swooping down on pre-dusk forest, you see the distant light source suddenly stop moving and then hear what sounds like a distressed scream. As you dive in closer, you notice movement in foliage beneath you. {60') There appears to be a man thrashing wildly through the bushes in the dark, trying to head to the direction of the sound.
[up]
[up]
Once above the light source, you spend a moment to determine that it is a hooded lantern laying upon the ground with no one near it. The terrain is rough with tangles and vines, even from the tree top it was difficult to see down through the foliage.
*up
*up, 2 rounds
Aurin draws upon his Ki to move faster through the wet terrain. He also begins to stalk towards the sound making sure to not totally give away his presence.
Speed increased by 20ft for 1 round!
Stealth roll is (20) + 15 = 35!